Trump's Surprise Move: Pardoning Puerto Rico's Former Governor Wanda Vázquez
In a shocking turn of events, President Trump has reportedly decided to pardon Puerto Rico's former governor, Wanda Vázquez Garced, along with two co-defendants involved in a high-profile bribery scheme. The news has sent shockwaves through the nation, raising questions about the motivations behind this unexpected move.Pardon for Wanda Vázquez and Co-Defendants
According to multiple sources, President Trump plans to pardon Wanda Vázquez Garced, who pleaded guilty last year in a federal public corruption case. Her two co-defendants, Julio Martin Herrera-Velutini and Mark Rossini, will also be pardoned for their crimes in the bribery scheme. The Justice Department's Public Integrity Section charged the three with conspiracy, federal programs bribery, and honest services wire fraud in connection with Vázquez's 2020 campaign.
Deal Brokered by Trump's Justice Department
The deal that led to the pardon was brokered by Chris Kise, a defense attorney who previously defended President Trump over criminal charges related to retaining classified information after leaving the White House in early 2021. The Justice Department abruptly cut a deal with the defendants as the case was nearing trial, allowing them to plead guilty to lesser corruption charges in August.
Background on the Case
The bribery scheme involved Vázquez's 2020 campaign and was investigated by the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section. The section was largely dismantled last year, but its work on this case continued. The charges against the three defendants were filed in 2022, and they pleaded guilty to lesser corruption charges after the deal was cut.
The pardon of Wanda Vázquez Garced and her co-defendants has sparked widespread debate about President Trump's motivations and the implications for justice. As the nation continues to grapple with the consequences of this unexpected move, one thing is clear: the story is far from over.
